Build-A-Bear Workshop, the stuffed animal company, has unveiled a new collaboration with TV personality RuPaul, host of the drag queen competition show “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” The new stuffed animal is part of the company’s “Bear Cave” line, which collaborates with brands as diverse as “Star Wars” and “The Black Panther.”
The teddy bear depicts RuPaul, whose full name is RuPaul Charles, drawing his signature. Bear wears a gold dress with a blonde wig and matching eye shadow. Gold heels sold separately.
The teddy bear takes inspiration from the lyrics to RuPaul’s iconic song “Cover Girl”. “Cover the bear! Put fur in your walk. Head to paw, let your whole body do the talking,” the description reads.
The company is known for its brick-and-mortar stores where people can make their own stuffed animals. It collaborates with many popular kid-focused brands like Disney, but in their “Bear Cave” collection, “expect unexpected collaborations and unique giftable plushes.” Other collaborations include bears featuring characters from “Ted Lasso” and “The Office.”
The RuPaul bear draws attention online when fans of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” share their excitement Drag queen James Mansfield, who appeared in the show’s ninth season, restyled Build-A-Bear’s hair as season 12 contestant Gigi Goode.
Drag – which traditionally features women in men’s clothing singing, dancing and performing comedy – has become a polarizing issue in the US state of Tennessee after a Republican-backed bill banned drag queen performances in public places, but a A federal judge blocked it Just before it went into effect last week.
US District Judge Thomas Parker issued the temporary injunction after an LGBTQ+ theater company sued Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy and the state to block the bill. According to the Associated Press.
The bill changes the definition of adult cabaret in Tennessee to mean “adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors.” And while it didn’t explicitly use the term “drag queen,” it classified “male or female impersonators” as adult cabaret performers, just like strippers.
In the complaint, Friends of George’s Theater Company says the law is too broad.” The law prohibits a drag performer wearing a crop top and miniskirt from dancing where minors might see it, but does not prohibit a Tennessee Titans cheerleader wearing a uniform from performing the exact same dance in front of children. clothing from,” reads the initial complaint.
Parker agrees that the law is too broad. “Does a citizen’s private residence count? How about a camping ground in a national park?” Parker wrote. “Finally, the broad language of the statute conflicts with the strict limitations of the First Amendment.”
Rep. Chris Todd, a Republican, said the legislation “attempts to clarify exactly what the law that we’ve had for decades is intended to do, but it makes it very clear to the public what line is being crossed. Harmful to minors.”
Opponents of the bill, such as Democratic Tennessee state representative Gloria Johnson, say the bill is not meant to protect children, but to target the LGBTQ community.
“I’m curious how many drag shows you’ve seen, and I’m curious why you’re targeting this?” he asked during a hearing on the bill in the Tennessee House. “This seems like a bill that’s directed at a certain community… It seems specifically directed at hate. I haven’t seen any evidence of a single child being harmed by any of this.”
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Caitlin O’Kane
